After coughing the ball up a grisly 19 times in the first session, the Jeffs committed just four turnovers, and shot 55.6% (15-for-27), in the second period to erase the Panther lead and seize the win.

Sophomore Katie Fisher (Oakland, CA) got Middlebury off to a solid start, sinking two jumpers, connecting on a pair of free throws, and feeding senior Maryanne Verzosa (Jamaica, NY) for a three-point play, as the Panthers took a 9-5 lead at the four-minute mark. Amherst turned the ball over on their first three possessions to aid in the early Middlebury edge, but Morin netted a jumper and finished off a pair of free throws of her own, and sophomore Shaina Pollack (Great Neck, NY) hit a clutch trifecta to get the Jeffs back into it with a slim 12-11 lead at 12:34. Amidst sloppy play from both squads, the Panthers regrouped and went on a 20-9 run, led by eight points from rookie Aylie Baker (Yarmouth, ME) in the span of four minutes, to end the half with a 31-23 edge.

After giving up the first bucket, a layup from Panther senior co-captain Micaela McVary (Springfield, IL) 13 seconds after the whistle, the Jeffs went on a 12-4 run , sparked by eight points – including two three-balls – from Muller in the opening five minutes. Morin and sophomore Stefanie Reiff (Hinsdale, IL) quickly caught the fire, as Morin converted an and-one opportunity to knot the score at 44-44 at the 11-minute mark and Reiff gained the lead for good on a pretty 10-footer on the ensuing possession. Though McVary grabbed 12 second-half rebounds, the Panthers couldn’t compete with Amherst’s greatly-improved ball-handling after the break. Middlebury scored six straight to get to within two, 52-50, at 6:24, but their comeback hopes were crushed by the stellar Jeff defense, which shutout the Panthers on their last 10 tries down the stretch.